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Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from impressive Ohio State win

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 17: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket while defended by Kaleb Wesson #34 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half at Breslin Center on February 17, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 17: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket while defended by Kaleb Wesson #34 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half at Breslin Center on February 17, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 17: Luther Muhammad #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes shoots the ball and draws a foul from Matt McQuaid #20 of the Michigan State Spartans in the second half at Breslin Center on February 17, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 17: Luther Muhammad #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes shoots the ball and draws a foul from Matt McQuaid #20 of the Michigan State Spartans in the second half at Breslin Center on February 17, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

3. Defense was the difference

Usually scoring 62 points in a game will mean that the Spartans are on the wrong end of things, but that’s the beauty of good defense. Michigan State’s offense wasn’t on its game Sunday so the defense made sure to show up and take care of business — essentially Michigan State football’s 2018 motto.

Defense wins championships, unless you have no semblance of an offense — just ask Dave Warner and Mark Dantonio.

The Spartans played lockdown defense, mainly in the second half, against the Buckeyes to improve to 12-3 on the Big Ten season and 21-5 overall. They locked down Kaleb Wesson even without Nick Ward and held the Buckeyes to a total of 13 points, which is truly incredible if you sit down and think about it.

Michigan State has learned that strong defense can win you games that you probably shouldn’t. I’m not saying the Buckeyes should have beaten the Spartans, because Michigan State is clearly the better team, but rather they had all signs of an upset-hungry team early on but defense squashed any hope of that.

Matt McQuaid led the defensive dominance in the second half and Thomas Kithier, Kenny Goins and Xavier Tillman brought it, too. That’ll be key if the Spartans want to win the Big Ten title without Ward.

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